Its strange. 12 months ago it seems that Havoline's only function was as the answer to the question, "Name a motor oil that begins with the letter 'H'". Then the UOA's started trickling in and people noticed, "Hey, this stuff is pretty darn competitive. And its priced right to boot."
After a few more months, many of us (myself included) had "stars in our eyes" when it came to Havoline and said goodbye to our old favorites ( "Valvo-who?").
Now there appears to be a growing backlash from forum members who have taken a "The emperor has no clothes" approach to the Great Havoline Revival. It has now been "revealed" that Havoline will NOT cure male pattern baldness, erectile dysfunction, or the heartbreak of psoriasis. Neither will it make an old clunker run like a champ. Before the "debunkers" start ther victory laps, let me make the following observations :
I had never seen anyone make extrodinary and overblown "Miracle oil" claims in respect to Havoline's properties. It was simply noted that (as with most Group-IV oils) it does its job pretty darn well. And at a reasonable price (I have never paid more that $1.68 per quart, and have scored it for $1.28 !!!)
So why has Havoline's star risen so meteorically? Because it was "slumming it" on the Dollar Store shelves for so long while other brands ( and you know who we are talking about) were being heavily advertised to the point of being "hyped". Throbbing pistons, curvy mountain roads, sleek, sexy German "Uber mobiles" thrusting themselves through alpine tunnels: the quasi-pornographic images just screamed "This oil will cure all ills and get you a date in the process." And there was good,old Havoline. Traditional, a little old fashioned, and somehow quaintly American ("Norman Rockwell's motor oil").
Bottom line; It is a good oil at a good price that does not take itslf too seriously. It is the Cal Ripken of motor oils : it comes to the park to play, gets the job done, and goes home to mow the lawn. No hype, no overblown promises, no "bling".
We are not Kool-Aid drinkers. We just know a good deal when we see one. Get over yourselves.
After a few more months, many of us (myself included) had "stars in our eyes" when it came to Havoline and said goodbye to our old favorites ( "Valvo-who?").
Now there appears to be a growing backlash from forum members who have taken a "The emperor has no clothes" approach to the Great Havoline Revival. It has now been "revealed" that Havoline will NOT cure male pattern baldness, erectile dysfunction, or the heartbreak of psoriasis. Neither will it make an old clunker run like a champ. Before the "debunkers" start ther victory laps, let me make the following observations :
I had never seen anyone make extrodinary and overblown "Miracle oil" claims in respect to Havoline's properties. It was simply noted that (as with most Group-IV oils) it does its job pretty darn well. And at a reasonable price (I have never paid more that $1.68 per quart, and have scored it for $1.28 !!!)
So why has Havoline's star risen so meteorically? Because it was "slumming it" on the Dollar Store shelves for so long while other brands ( and you know who we are talking about) were being heavily advertised to the point of being "hyped". Throbbing pistons, curvy mountain roads, sleek, sexy German "Uber mobiles" thrusting themselves through alpine tunnels: the quasi-pornographic images just screamed "This oil will cure all ills and get you a date in the process." And there was good,old Havoline. Traditional, a little old fashioned, and somehow quaintly American ("Norman Rockwell's motor oil").
Bottom line; It is a good oil at a good price that does not take itslf too seriously. It is the Cal Ripken of motor oils : it comes to the park to play, gets the job done, and goes home to mow the lawn. No hype, no overblown promises, no "bling".
We are not Kool-Aid drinkers. We just know a good deal when we see one. Get over yourselves.